Characteristics of suicide decedents with no federally funded mental health service contact in the 12 months before death in a population-based sample of Australians 45 years of age and over

Abstract

Introduction: More than half of suicide decedents have no contact with mental health services 12 months before death. It is uncertain if they have different characteristics than decedents who use mental health services. Methods: A case-series design. Participants 45 years and older, who died by suicide (2006–2018). Comparisons were made between those who did and did not have contact with mental health services, using individually linked data from federal services in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Results: Of 186 cases, 71% had no contact with mental health services. Physical health services were used equally by 75%. Psychiatric medication use w..